Slide fastener machines



A. M. BROWN 2,716,798

SLIDE FASTENER MACHINES Sept. 6, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 1947 INVENTOR. Alexander M Brown Sept. 6, 1955 A. M. BROWN SLIDE FASTENER MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 5. 1947 INVENTOR.

Alexander/V7. Bra/4'4 Sept. 6, 1955 A. M. BROWN 2,716,798

SLIDE FASTENER MACHINES Filed Feb. 5. 1947 s Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. 1 5.9. 7 Alexander/M Brow/1 wwv/ iiior nelys Sept. 6, 1955 A. M. BROWN 2,716,793

sum: FASTENER MACHINES Filed Feb. 5. 1947 e Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. 80 Alexander I. Brawn Fi 5 BWMW/m? Sept. 6, 1955 A. M. BROWN SLIDE FASTENER MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 5, 1947 llllllllllllllillln INVENTOR.

0 WM P W 5 m w w d H m) A Y B United States Patent SLIDE: FASTENERMACHINES 'A-lexanderM. Brown,'NewBritain, Conn. vApplication-z'February 5, 1947, Serial No.- 726,624

44 Claims. (Cl.'29'34) The invention relates =to the manufacture of slide fastener parts, and more particularly to a machine for forming -and 1 shaping slide: fastener: elements and 'attachi-ing 'thenr on atape. The invention'more specificallycontmplates -sanarrangement which cuts from a suitably :ning and-end'of each: movement. This limits the speed of? such machines and causes. rapidnwearn on the-parts.

Aiprimary. object of the present invention is rto provide aimachinei for making: slide fastener. parts zin which each part of the. machine moves continuously .:in 'the' same direction sand at constant speed. *Morespecifically, the inventioncontemplates.a mechanism formed of BzSdIiCS of rotating members which cut a blank from a fastener wire; iformlit and setrit onaaitapejwhile carrying=the blank along from each operation 'to' the:next. Such an! arrangement: can operate 1 at high speed without; excess wean on the machine "parts andwithout substantial vibration. Furthermore, "the'- power required-to operate the;machine iscomparatively small, and :themachine can be started easily after anystoppage.

fiAn'other: objectuof the inventionstiststor provide zin a machine for setting fastener elements. on axtape; a simple and accurate'tmechanism rfor'producing gap-spacingvbetween iseriesofi'adjacent elements 'on theitape. TThispart of the device is arranged to assure gapsiof the proper length at-anynspeed of the machine; andsttorallowxeasy interchangeability of' parts :for varying 'rthe length s of the gap.

i'The' machine is preferably devised'so that each rotating'partx'is'a'cting on'or carrying aspluralitynof fastener elements at once; "thus a increasing the output I of thesmachine for: an given speed of the crotating parts.

i Still :ano-ther object of the r-invention is rto provide; a novel- "and" effective arrangement :for setting fastener elementson a tape; this including: a device for :carrying; the element 1 in v aiicircle on amontinuously moving rotating membergfeeding' the tape. across; the circle .ofrotation of suchmemberiand substantially radially of: such circle, and applying'theielement to and clamping it on the tape while the-carrying member :continues to trotate.

A -fur'ther object of the invention is to provide at mechanism-"for forming. aslide fastener lelem'ent' blankrin-which the forming device also acts at least; ,inpart as a: carrier for thewelement.

Other objects and advantages of the-invention-=wi1l-;appeartmore fully from the' following description; especially when taken in conjunction withsthe accompanying drawings which form a part thereof.

In 1 the ,drawings:

Figure -1; is aztop plan view ofia machine embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a-sidevelevatiomfrom thetopof Figure, 1;

Figure 3- is a perspective View of :a. part of the cutting roll;

Figure 4 is a similar view of-thegapspacing-mechanism;

Figure 5 is a,-fragmentary perspectivetviewoft the die cutter and. die;

Figure 6 -is a similar view of the meeting pointofi the die cutter roll with the carrier roll;

Figure 7 is a similarviewof the meeting point ,of the carrier roll with the forming roll;

Figure 8 is a detail ofthe holding mechanism for the forming roll;

Figure 9' is. a. perspective viewoft the meeting point;;of the forming rollt with the setting roll;

Figures 10 and 11 show in side elevation the;;setting mechanismtin two stages of its operation;

-'Figure- 12 shows in top plan viewa modified form-ref setting: roll;-and

Figures 13 and 14 show inside elevation thegsetting mechanismof this modification in two stages of its voperation.

The device in general consists of; a serieszofv rotating members tor, drums including a a cutting drum- 2, acarrier drum 4,221 forming drum-6,- and'a setting drumi8. These drums; are mounted! respectively, onsshafts 10, 12, 14, and 16. :Shaft-YIO is driven, by apulley 18-and drives throughgears20, 24, 26,-andt28 respectively ShEftSglZ, 1,4, and 16; at thesarne speed-of rotation; asshaft- 10, shafts l0zand-l4-turning in one'direction and-shafts: 12, 16 .-in theopposite direction. Shaft143through-gearing 23 drives; countershaft 22.

v--Drurn 2 has on-its peripheral surface (four cutting dies 30,:ofa-shape-to ireceivethe end of the preformedwwire 32 (see Figure 5)-having a head portion and. diverging leg portions. This wire is fed past a stationary-supporting knife,34, pastwhich membersI-move upon-thetrotation of drum 2. The depth to which the wire can enter intodie member 30-is controlledby a plate36;;arranged inza -slot intdrum 2-and pivoted at 38, the,-inner-or-rear edgeioftthisvplate 36 resting against'the body ofthedrum. The wire is allowed to enterthe-space ingthe-die-member bytan amount equaltto-the thickness of the desired fastener element 40 (see Figure 5).

'The-wire32 isfed radially to drum.'2-by-the feeding mechanism shown in Figure 1. This includes-a wheel 42 mounted on a shaft- 44 and having a generally Ueshaped groove in its peripheral surface adapted to engage the head side (left-hand side of- Figure 5)of-wire-32. Opposite this wheel is a secondi wheel 46:1nounted; on shaft; 50in arms 52 pivoted at; 54 onthe frame of the -machine. Wheel 46 has an edge fitting within the groove between the leg portions ofthe'wire. It is'normally urged against the wire by an adjustable coil spring 56- so that thevwire is frictionally held between the twowwheels. Shaft; 44 is ,driven.throughgearingSS from the shaft 22.

'Supported abovethe main frame-of the machine, by pins-60"areplates-62 which overlie the center of the periphery of drum 2. These plates fit closely to the outer sur-face-ofadie mernber. 30, andprevent the elemenhcut oif by the die member from-being thrown orf bytcentrifugal-force. Pinsw64- extend up vertically from slightly larger holes -66-in members 36 andthrough considerably largerholes-68 intthe body of drum 2 to a point considerably 'above the upper surface of the drum. These ,pins are so arranged'that'when their top ends are pushed, in- Wardly towards the center of the drum they willfulcrum on the upper edges of holes .68 to cause the free ends of members 36 to swing outwardly.

After a rotation of 270 from the cutting-off point opposite the die cutting knife 34, in the direction of the arrow of Figure 1, the die member comes adjacent the drum 4 (see Figure 6). At this point one of the holders 70 mounted on the periphery of the carrier drum 4 comes opposite the die member 30. At this point plate 62 terminates so that the element is no longer held against discharge from the die member 30 by the action of centrifugal force and can be thrown off into the holder 70. To assure the transfer of the element to the holder 70, however, there is provided a plate member 72 extending over the surface of the drum and having an inclined surface 74 which engages the upper end of pin 64 of the plate 36 which is closest to the carrier drum 4. This engagement tilts the top of the pin 64 inwardly around the upper edge of hole 68 as a fulcrum and rocks the plate 36 outwardly so as to push element 40 positively out of the die member 30 and into the holder 70.

As soon as pin 64 passes surface 74, the pressure of wire 32 against the forward end of plate 36 pushes the plate back to its withdrawn position, in which the member 30 can again engage the end of the wire to cut off another blank element.

Carrier drum 4 then carries the element around in the direction of the arrow of Figure l. The escape of the element from the holder 70 is prevented by a plate 76 which lies opposite the center of the periphery of drum 4 and is supported above the frame of the machine by suitable bolts 78. This plate extends half-way around the periphery of the carrier.

After a travel of 180, the carrier 70 comes to a point adjacent the forming drum 6 (see Figure 7). The forming drum has extending from its periphery a crotch engaging member 80 capable of fitting between the legs of element 40 and closely adjacent to it a punch member 82 tapering to a point having the desired shape of the recess to be formed in the fastener element. These two members meet the carrier 70, the crotch engaging member 80 first entering between the legs of the element to hold it in the carrier 70 and the punch 82 then engaging the head of the element to form the recess and projection in the head of the element. This action is in itself normally sutficient to transfer the formed element to the forming drum 6 where it would be held by members 80 and 82. However, to insure this transfer, there are provided rails or holders 84, 86 having a slot 88 between them into which the projection formed on the fastener element can fit. At the ends, slot 88 is widened sufficiently to permit the passage of the carrier 70 between the ends of rails 84, 86. As shown in Figure 7, however, the legs of the fastener element will engage the inner faces of these rails. Thus as the parts continue to turn the fastener element will be positively removed from the holder 70 (which has a recess 71 so as to act as a die for the die punch 82) and transferred to the forming drum 6.

Rail 84 is upstanding from the edge of a plate 90 supported on the frame of the machine by bolts 92. Rail 86 is supported above rail 84 by U-shaped members 94 (see Figure 8). These rails serve to hold the element on the forming drum during its passage of 180 to a point adjacent the setting drum 8.

Setting drum 8 has on its periphery four flat areas 96 (see Figure 9). The drum is formed of two parts carried by shaft 16 and separated by a slot 98. Pivoted on pins 100 on each of the flat surfaces 96 are clamping members 102 having converging opposed surfaces 104. Flat springs 106 arranged on the top and bottom faces of the drum rest on clamping members 102 and automatically hold them in the position shown in Figure 9. Pins 108 project outwardly from the members 102 on the side of pivot 100 opposite the clamping surfaces 104.

Spaced rails 110 run around the periphery of the drum 8 from the point adjacent drum 6 for 90 to the setting point. The space between these rails is suflicient to permit the passage of crotch engaging member 80 and forming member 82, but not to allow the passage of the legs of the fastener element 40. When the fastener element comes opposite drum 8, it is engaged between the inclined surfaces 104 and its legs come against the inner faces of rails 110. It will thus be removed from elements 80 and 82 and transferred to the setting drum 8.

After a travel of 90 in the direction of the arrow of Figure 1, the element carried by the setting drum 8 reaches the setting point where it is to be applied to the tape (see Figures 10 and 11). The tape 111 is fed under a guide roller 112 through the slot 98 and past the plates 114 whose forward edges lie close to the periphery of drum 8 at the setting point. The bead 116 on the edge of the tape rests against the edges of plates 114 and the tape is thus guided past the setting point in a direction substantially radial to the axis of drum 8. From this point the tape passes on between a feed roller 118 mounted on shaft 120 and driven by gearing 122 from shaft 22 and a suitable counter roller 124 which holds the tape against the feed roller.

Also adjacent the setting point are two rails 126 having at their forward ends sloping surfaces 128 in the paths of pins 108. As the element 40 held by the surface 104 reaches the setting point, its legs straddle the bead of the tape as shown in Figure 10. The tape will then stop the movement of the element 40, while drum 8 continues to rotate. At the same time, pins 108 engage surfaces 128 of rails 126. Further movement of the drum 8 causes the clamping members 102 to pivot as shown in Figure 11 against the action of springs 106, and the sloping surfaces 104 move downwardly into parallel relationship, thus clamping the legs of the fastener element between them against the tape bead. As the drum is moving forward while the surfaces 104 are in effect moving backward on the drum during such swinging, the result is that the fastener is held stationary during this setting operation. When the setting is over, the members 102 will clear the fastener as shown in Figure ll, and will move around with the drum until pins 108 escape from rails 126 and springs 106 return clamping members 102 to their normal position.

Of course members 102 must pass the tape and the bead 116 at approximately beyond the setting point (see upper right-hand corner of Figure 1). However, the space between surfaces 104 is almost sufiicient for this purpose, and in addition members 102 can rock against the action of springs 106 to allow the passage of the bead between the two clamping members.

The mechanism as hereinbefore described is adequate for the purpose of setting fastener elements continuously on a tape. It is believed that its operation in general will be clear from the foregoing, but nevertheless a summary will be given here.

As the machine is driven, wire 32 is fed forward past die knife 34 and into the die member 30 (see Figure 5).

As drum 2 revolves, it cuts off an element from the end of the wire and carries this element in die member 30 270 to a point adjacent carrier drum 4. At this point, pin 64 engages surface 74 and rocks member 36 to push the element out of the die member 30 and into the holder 70 on the carrier drum 4. The carrier drum rotating carries the element 40 180 to a point adjacent forming drum 6. As the crotch engaging member 80 and punch 82 meet the element held in member 70, they hold and form the element and at the sametime pick it off the drum 4 to drum 6. This action is facilitated by rails 84 and 86 as shown in Figure 7. The formed element is carried by drum 6 through 180 to a point adjacent the setting drum 8 (see Figure 9). At this point the element is engaged between the surfaces 104 of setting and clamping members 102, and is removed from members 80, 82 by rails 110. Drum 8 carries the formed element 90 to the setting point where it comes astride of the bead 116 of the tape (see Figure 10). Meanwhile the tape has been fed through the proper amount by drum 118. As drum 8 "sha /s8 continues to rotate, the setting elements are tilted as shown in Figure 11 to clamp the legs ofthe element on tape 111. I I k v Obviously such an arrangement will continue to set the fastener elements oneb y "one on the "tape, this being accomplished in the machine sh'o'wn'herein four times at each revolution of the drums. v I v I ntheproduction of slide fastener-tapes, it is: usually necessary to form gaps in the spacing of the elements-on the tape, so that the finished tape may be cut into sections .and assembled into slide fasteners. This is accomplished by the gap spacing mechanismshown-in'Figures'l and 4. It will be rememberedthat element 36 can be swungout to the outer edge of die member 30 by tiltingvpins 64.

The spacing is accomplished by swinging out this member 36 at thepoint where wire 32 is fed to drum 2 so as to 'prevent the wire from entering the die member and thus to prevent the formation of the fastener element.

'This is accomplished by-a block 130 mounted on a shaft 132 suppbrted in a member 134 above the frame of the feed of the wire to the cutting drum -2, I provide an internally toothed ring gear 142 engaging a smaller gear 144 mounted on the end of shaft 22. *Ring'gear 142 has on its outer face one or more raised cam sections'146.

When the machine is in operation, ring gear 142 is turned by gear 144. Whenever one of cam sections 146 comes underneath lever 140, it raisesthis lever against the action of spring 138 as shownin Figure 4 and rocks block 130 downwardly to tilt pin 168 and prevent thefeed of wire to the drum 2. Obviously the cam sections 146 may be as long or as short as desired, and thuscan determine the spacing between groups of fastener elements on the tape and the number of elements in each such group.

The arrangement shown in Figure 4 permits an easy change in this spacing by the removal of one ring gear from gear 144 and a substitution therefor of a gear having a different number of teeth or different spacing-or length of the cam surfaces or both.

Figures 12 to 14 show-a modified form of setting mechanism. In this arrangement, the setting drum- 8' is again formed of two parts having a slot through them through which tape 111 is fed, and the tape is guided by plates 114. Drum 8 carries on its'flat surface two rollers 150 mounted on pins 152, the space between these rollers being substantially equal to the width of the head of the fastener element but less'than that of the extended legs. Pivoted at 154 are bent levers 156 the ends-of which remote from the drum 8' are connected by coil spring 158. These levers are normally held outwardly with their ends adjacent drums 8 separated from each other by a distance equal to'the distance between the extended legs of the fastener'element 40. As drum 8" rotates, the legs of the fastener elements come up against the ends of levers 156 and at the same time straddle the bead 116 'of the 'tape' 111. The "levers then block further movement of i the element, while drum 8 continues to rotate. This continued rotation of the drum forces rollers 150 forward ands'q'u'ee'zes the legs of the fastener between 'the'two rollers and den/ii onthe tape bead "(see Figure 14). Thej'r ollers also squeeze together the front ends of le'versi 156, so as to be able to pass these levers in the continued rota- 'tion of the drum. The element is thus set on the tape without stopping the rotation of the drum. As soon astthe rollers have cleared the 'lev ers"156, spring 158 pulls these levers'back to the position shown in Figure to prevent escape of-a'blank '6 1'3 where theywill' engage and "stop the next element bifgtight' aroundtothem by'dr nm '8'. p

The rst of the mechanism may operafe'in' the same manneras that "of Figure -l, the de'vicebf Figures 12 to 14'being an "alternative -of that shown 'in Figures-9 to 11.

"While'l'ha've "dsciibed herein some embodiments of invention, I wish to be understoda' that" I 'do not intend to; limit myselftherebvexcept' within the scope of the claims hereto or hereafter appended.

'1. A machinefor making slide fastenerrparts, comprising rotary mechanism for cutting on a blank having legs and a head portion from a generally V -shaped wire strip, 'rotary'inechanism' tangent to said cutting on mechanism for receiving ablank'therefrom andfor forrning the head portion of said element, rotary mechanism tangent to said forming mechanism for receiving a formed blank therefrom andfor clamping the'legsof' said'element on atape, and means to drive said mechanisms in synchronism with each other.

'2. Amachine for making slide-fastener pafts/comrising rotar mechanism for cutting an a blank having legs and a headportion from a generally V shaped-w-ire 'stripg-"rotary mechanism for feeding such wirest'ripito the first mechanism, rotary mechanism" tangent to said cutting off mechanism for receiving a blank therefrom and for forming-the head'portion of said element, rotary mechanism tangent to {said forming mechanism {for receiving a formed blank' therefrom and for clamping the 'legsof said, element on a tape, mechanism for feeding a 'tape' through said fourth mechanism, and means to drive said mechanism in synchronism with each other.

'3. A machine'i for making 'slide fastener parts from a preformed wire strip, comprising rotarymechanism'for cutting off a blank having legs and-a head portion from a' generally V -shaped wire strip, rotary mechanism tangent 'to said cutting 01f mechanism for receiving ablank therefrom and for forming' 'the head'po rtion of said element, rotary mechanism tangent to said for'ming :mechanism 'for' rec eiving aformedblank therefrom and- -for clamping'the legs-of said element on a tape,-and means to'drive 'saidmechanisms in synchronism with each-other; said first mechanism comprising a rotating member having a recess in its" periphery of the shape of the-crosssemen of such wire strip, a-stationary die knife adjacentthe periphery of the radius 'of rotation bf saiddie member, means to feed a preformed wire strip'past -said die knife 'to said' die member radially "thereof, and-means from; such recess between the cutting point and the. point of tangencyof- -said head forming mechanisms. I v

4. 'A machine for making slide fastener parts -from-a preformed wire strip, comprising rotary mechanism -for cutting off a blank having legs and ahead portion-from a'generau V shaped wire strip, rotary mechanism-tangent to said cutting off mechanismfor receiving a blank therefrom and for forming the head portion of saidelement, rotary mechanism tangent to said forming mechanism for receiving a formed blank therefromand for clamping the legs of said element on a tape, and-means to drive said mechanisms in synchronism with each other; said first mechanism including a rotating member having means thereon to hold a slide fastenerelement-"in a position substantially tangent to the circle-ofrotati'on of said member with its legs pointing inthe-direction of rotation, me'ans on the outside of at least apart-of the periphery of said member to prevent said element from sliding therefrom under the action of centrifugal force, said second mechanism including a part adapted to receive said fastener element; said'lastmeans terminating short of the adjacent position-ofsaidmernber and part so that" said fastenerelement may escape-from said member to said part under-the action of centrifugal force, a lever pivoted in said member and having a portion located behind said element holding means, and means operable upon said lever after it has passed the end of said last means to swing said lever to ensure ejection of the fastener element from said holding means.

5. In a machine as claimed in claim 1, means to interrupt the feed of fastener elements to said first mechanism, operating means for said interrupting means, said operating means including a movable member, a gear, an inwardly toothed ring engaged upon said gear, said movable member engaging said ring, said ring having portions of different thickness to cause movement of said movable member so as to permit or prevent the feed of fastener elements.

6. A machine for making slide fastener parts from a preformed wire strip, comprising rotary mechanism for cutting off a blank having legs and a head portion from a generally V-shaped wire strip, rotary mechanism tan gent to said cutting off mechanism for receiving a blank therefrom and for forming the head portion of said element, rotary mechanism tangent to said forming mechanism for receiving a formed blank therefrom and for clamping the legs of said element on a tape, and means to drive said mechanisms in synchronism with each other; said first mechanism comprising a rotating die member having a recess therein, a stationary die knife adjacent the periphery of the radius of rotation of said stationary die member, means to feed a preformed wire strip past said die knife to said die member, and means to interrupt the feed of wire strip to said die member, said means including a part movable into the recess of said die member, a movable member opcratively connected to said part, a gear, an inwardly toothed ring engaged upon said gear, said movable member engaging said ring, said ring having portions of different thickness to cause movement of said movable member so as to permit or prevent the feed of wire strip.

7. In a machine for making slide fastener elements, a rotating member, a die member carried by said rotat ing member, means to rotate said rotating member, a die knife adjacent the periphery of the radius of rotation of said die member, said die member having an opening therein to receive the end of a preformed wire strip, means to feed a preformed wire strip past said die knife to said opening, a member movably mounted in said rotatable member and having a part located behind at least a part of said opening, means on the outside of a part of the periphery of said die member to prevent an element from sliding therefrom under the action of centrifugal force, a part adapted to receive said fastener element, said last means terminating short of the adjacent position of said die member and part so that said fastener member may escape from said die member to said part by the action of centrifugal force, and means operable upon said movable member after it has passed the end of said last means to move said member to ensure ejection of said fastener element from said die member.

8. In a machine for making slide fastener elements, a rotating member, a die member carried by said rotating member, means to rotate said rotating member, a stationary die knife adjacent the periphery of the radius of rotation of said die member, said die member having an opening therein to receive the end of a preformed wire strip, means to feed a preformed wire strip past said die knife to said opening. a member movably mounted in said rotatable member and having a part located behind at least a part of said opening, means selectively operable upon said movable member when said die member is opposite said die knife to move said movable member into said opening to prevent the feed of wire strip to said die member.

9. In a machine as claimed in claim 8, said last means including a movable part, a gear, an inwardly toothed ring engaged upon said gear, said movable part engaging said ring, said ring having portions of different thickness ill to cause movement of said movable part so as to permit or prevent the feed of wire strip to said opening.

10. In a machine for making slide fastener elements, a rotating member, a die member carried by said rotating member, a stationary die knife adjacent the periphery of the radius of rotation of said die member, said die member having an opening therein to receive the end of a preformed wire strip, means to feed a preformed wire strip past said die knife to said opening, a lever pivoted in said rotatable member and having a part located behind at least a part of said opening, and means operable upon said lever when said die member is opposite said die knife to swing the end of said lever into said opening to prevent the feed of said wire strip to said die member.

11. In a machine for making slide fastener elements, a rotating member, a die member carried by said rotating member, means to rotate said rotating member, a stationary die knife adjacent the periphery of the radius of rotation of said die member, said die member having an opening therein to receive the end of a preformed wire strip, means to feed a preformed wire strip past said die knife to said opening, a lever pivoted in said rotatable member and having a part located behind at least a part of said opening, means on the outside of a part of the periphery of said die member to prevent an element from sliding therefrom under the action of centrifugal force, a part adapted to receive said fastener element, said last means terminating short of the adjacent position of said die member and part so that said fastener member may escape from said die member to said part by the action of centrifugal force, means operable upon said lever after it has passed the end of said last means to swing said lever to ensure ejection of said fastener element from said die member, and means operable upon said lever when said die member is opposite said die knife to swing the end of said lever into said opening to prevent the feed of wire strip to said die member.

12. In a machine as claimed in claim ll, said last means including a movable part, a gear, an inwardly toothed ring engaged upon said gear, said movable part engaging said ring, said ring having portions of different thickness to cause movement of said movable part so as to permit or prevent the feed of wire strip to said opening.

13. A machine for making slide fastener parts comprising a rotating cutter part, a rotating forming part tangential to the cutter part, and a rotating setting part tangential to the forming part, means to drive said parts in synchronism with each other, said cutting part having a die member on its periphery, a stationary knife member adjacent the periphery of the cutting part, means to fcctl a preformed wire past said knife member to said die member radially thereof whereby said die member at each rotation of the cutting part cuts off an element from the wire, means to transfer the cut-otf element to the forming part, means on said forming part to form the head of the element, means on said setting part to receive the element from the forming part, means to feed a slide fastener tape past said setting part, and means carried by said setting part to bring an element carried thereby into engagement with such tape and to clamp the legs of such element on the tape.

14. A machine for making slide fastener parts comprising a rotating cutter drum, rotating forming drums tangential to each other and one of which is tangential to said cutter drum, and a rotating setting drum tangential to the other of said forming drums. means to drive said drums in synchronism with each other, said cutting drum having a die member on its periphery, a stationary knit member adjacent the periphery of the cutting drum, means to feed a preformed wire past said knife member to said die member whereby said die member at each rotation of the cutting drum cuts off an element from the Wire, means to transfer the cut-off element to the first forming drum, means on said forming drums to form the head of the element, means on said setting drum to receive the element from the second forming drum, means, to feed a .slide fastener tape past saidsetting drum substantially radiallythereof, ,filldmeans carried by, said setting drum to bring an element lcarried thereby into engagement With such tape and to clamp the legs of such element on the pe-lv 15. In a machine for making slide fastener parts, a rotating setting,drum, means, to drive said drum continuously at a constant speed, means on said setting drum IQ receive a slide fastener element, means to feed a slide fastener tape continuously past said setting drum sub- ,stantially radially thereof, and meanscarried by said setting drum to bring an element carried thereby into engagement with such tape and to clamp the legs of such element i' e p r 1 ,In a, m achine for making slide fastener parts, a

formingdrum and a rotating setting drum, means to. drive said drums continuously at a constant speed, .rneans, to feed a slide fastener element to the forming drum, means o n said forming drum operable during the .transferofsuch element to the forming drum to form the headof the element, means on said setting drum to receive the element from the forming drum, means to feed a slide fastener tape past said setting drum, and means carried by said, setting drum to bring an element carried thereby into engagement with such tape and to clamp the legs of such element on the ,tape., v t

17.,In a machine fog making slide, fastener parts, a rotating member, clamping means carried by said rotating member at a distance-from the axisof rotation thereof, said clampingmeans being adapted to hold a formed slide fastener elernent in a plane substantially tangential to the circle of rotation with the legsof such element pointing in ection of rotation, mean ,tqfeed a fastener tape strl astantraly radially away from said rotating member froma pbint at, a distance from the axis of rotation less thanthei-adius of rotation of said clamping means and in the plane of travel of a fastener carried by such clamping means whereby fastener elements carried by said clamping means engage with their legs over a tape supported by said feeding 1" nsg and rneansto operate such clamping meansto clamp the legs of the element on the tape.

1'8. iln a,'inachine for making slide fastener parts, a rotating member, clamping means carried by saidrotating member at a'distan ce from the axis of rotation thereof, itianslitoJ rotatefsaid member continuously at constant speed, said "clamping rneans being adapted to hold a formed slide,fastener element a plane substantially tangential to the'circle of rotationwith the legs of such element pointing inthe direction of rotation, means to feeda ,fast'ener ftape in the path of travel of a fastener carried, by such clamping rne'ans,' whereby fastener elements carriedbyfsaid clamping members engage with their legs over a tapesupported by said feeding means, means dstepjthefmotement of an element carried by'said feeding meansj upon engagement with the tape and meansto operatesuchfclarnping means'to clamp the legs of the ele- Iaem the tape, 'sa'id" last means operating without interfering with the continued rotation of said rotating member. r

"19., In aQmachine'f r making slide fastener parts, a rotat'ing member,[clamping means carried by said rotating i fimbef'ata distance from theaxis of rotation thereof, magne oiota esa d member continuously at constant sp' ed, saidi clam'ping meansbeing adapted to, hold a to med slide fastener element a plane substantially tang aljto th cncle of rotation with the legs of such elementpoint ng "in the'dir'ectioniof rotation, means to feed a fastener tape having a bead thereon substantially radially away from said rotating memb er from a point at a dista -ce frorn"theflaxis of'rotation less than the radius of rotation of'said clamping means and'jn the plane of travel of fastenerf carriedby such clamping means, whereby fastener eimsm 'eai'nsd'b said clamping means engage with their legs over the bead of a tape supported by said axisof said shaftd and said tape feeding means, means to stop themovement of an element carried by said feeding means upon engagement with the head of the tape, and means to operate such clamping meansto clamp thelegs of the element on the bead of the tape, said last means operating without interfering with the continued rotation of said rotating member.

20. In a machine for making slide fastener parts, a rotating member, clamping means carried by said rotating member at a distance from the axis of rotation thereof, means to rotate said member continuously at constant speed, said clamping means being adapted to hold a formed slide fastener element, means to feed a fastener tape having a head thereon substantially radially away from said rotating member from a point at a distance from the axis of rotation less than the radius of rotation ofsaid clamping means and in the plane of travel of a fastener carried by such clamping means, whereby fastener elements carried by said clamping means engage with their legs over a tape supported by said feeding means, and means to operate such clamping meansto clamp the legs of the element on the tape, said last means operating Without interfering with the continued rotation of said rotating member. I 2l. ln a machine for rnaking slide fastener parts,'a

rotating member, clamping means carried by said rotating member at a distance from the axis of rotation thereof, means to rotate said member continuously at constant speed, said clamping means being adapted to hold a formed slide fastener element in a plane substantially tangential to the circle of rotation with the legs of such element pointing in the direction of rotation, means to feed a fastener tape in theplane of travel of a fastener carried by such clamping means, whereby fastener elements carried by said clamping meansfengage with their legs over a tape supported by said feeding means, means to stop the movement of an element carried by said feedingirneans upon engagement with the bead of the tape and means to operate such clamping means to clamp the legs of the element on the bead of the tape, said last means operating without interfering with the continued rotation of said rotating member,

22, In a machine as claimed in claim 20, said rotating member comprising ashaft and a drum mountedonsaid shaft and having a slot therein in a plane transverse to the feeding means guiding theftape through said slot.

I 23. ln a machine as claimed in claim 20, said rotating member comprising a shaft and a drum mounted on said shaft and having aslot therein in a plane transverse to the'axis of said shaft, said tape feeding means guiding the ta'pe' through said slot, and said clamping means being mounted on saididrum above and below said slot.

24['Ina machine for making slide fastener parts, a rotating member, clamping means carried by said rotating'member at a distance from the axis of rotation thereof, means to rotate said member continuously at constant speed, said clamping means being adapted to hold a formed slide fastener element, means to feed a fastener tape having a head thereon substantially radially awayfrom said rotating member from a point at a distance from the axis ofrotation less than the radius of rotation 'of said clampingmeans and in the plane of travel of a fastener carried by suchclamping means, whereby fastener elements carried bysaid clamping means engage with their legs over a tape supported by said feeding meansyand means to operate'such clamping means to clamp the legs of the element on the tape, said last means operating without interfering with the continued rotation of said rotating mem bensaid 'rotatingmember comprising a shaft and a drum mounted on said shaft and having a slot thereinin a plane' t'ransverse to the axis of said shaft, said tape feeding rneans guiding the tape through said slot, said'cla'n'lping iri'eans comprising levers pivoted on said drum above and below saidstot, said levers having adjacent suchslot opposed diverging faces arranged to receive a fastener element therebetween, spring means normally holding said levers in a position in which such faces are divergent, and said operating means being operable when the fastener element engages the tape to swing said levers to bring such faces into parallelism and clamp the legs of the fastener element on the tape.

25. in a machine for making slide fastener parts, a rotating member, clamping means carried by said rotating member at a distance from the axis of rotation thereof,

means to rotate said member continuously at constant 1 speed, said clamping means being adapted to hold a formed slide fastener element, means to feed a fastener tape having a head thereon substantially radially away from said rotating member from a point at a distance from the axis of rotation less than the radius of rotation of said clamping means and in the plane of travel of a fastener carried by such clamping means, whereby fastener elements carried by said clamping means engage with their legs over a tape supported by said feeding means, and means to operate such clamping means to clamp the legs of the element on the tape, said last means operating without interfering with the continued rotation of said rotating member, said rotating member comprising a shaft and a drum mounted on said shaft and having a slot. therein in a plane transverse to the axis of said shaft, said tape feeding means guiding the tape through said slot, and said clamping means being mounted on said drum above and below said slot and comprising rollers rotatably mounted on said drum above and below said slot, the space between said rollers being not less than the width of the head of a fastener element but less than the width of the legs when extended, so that said rollers hold a fastener element, said rollers when said fastener element is stopped against movement forcing the legs together over the tape guided by said feeding means.

26. In a machine for making slide fastener parts, means for setting fastener elements on a tape comprising a rotatable member comprising a shaft and a drum mounted on said shaft and having a slot therein in a plane transverse to the axis of said shaft, tape feeding means guiding a tape through said slot, and clamping means mounted on said drum above and below said slot.

27. In a machine for making slide fastener parts, means for setting fastener elements on a tape comprising a rotatable member comprising a shaft and a drum mounted on said shaft and having a slot therein in a plane transverse to the axis of said shaft, tape feeding means guiding a tape through said slot, and clamping means mounted on said drum above and below said slot, said clamping means comprising levers pivoted on said drum, said levers having adjacent such slot opposed diverging faces arranged to receive a fastener element therebetween, spring means normally holding said levers in a position in which such faces are divergent, and means operable when the fastener element engages the tape to swing said levers to bring such faces into parallelism and clamp the legs of the fastener element on the tape.

28. In a machine for making slide fastener parts, means for setting fastener elements on a tape comprising a rotatable member comprising a shaft and a drum mounted on said shaft and having a slot therein in a plane transverse to the axis of said shaft, tape feeding means guiding a tape through said slot, and clamping means mounted on said drum above and below said slot, said clamping means comprising rollers rotatably mounted on said drum above and below said slot, the space between said rollers being not less than the width of the head of a fastener element but less than the width of the legs when extended, so that said rollers hold a fastener element, said rollers when said fastener element is stopped against movement forcing the legs together over the tape guided by said feeding means. I

29. In a machine for making slide fastener parts, a rotatable drum, levers pivoted on said drum, said levers having opposed diverging faces arranged to receive a fas- Let tener element therebetween, spring means normally holding said levers in a position in which such faces are divergent, and means operable when the fastener element engages a tape to swing said levers to bring such faces into parallelism and clamp the legs of the fastener element on the tape.

3G. in a machine for making slide fastener parts, a rotatable drum, rollers rotatably mounted on said drum for rotation about axes located in planes transverse to the axis of rotation of the drum, the space between said rollers being not less than the width of the head of a fastener element but less than the width of the legs when extended, so that said rollers hold a fastener element, said rollers When said fastener element is stopped against movement forcing the legs together over a tape.

31. In a machine for making slide fastener parts, a rotary member having means thereon to hold a slide fastener element, said means being open outwardly from the center of said member, means around a part of the periphery of said member to prevent the escape of the element from said holding means under the action of cen trifugal force, means including said holding means to cut an element from stock fed thereto, means to feed stock to said last means, and means to eject an element from said holding means.

32. in a machine for making slide fastener parts, drums mounted to rotate in substantially tangential relation to each other, one of said drums having means thereon to hold a slide fastener element, said means being open outwardly from the center of said drum, means around a part of the periphery of said drum to prevent the escape of the element from said holding means under the action of centrifugal force, the other drum having thereon means to receive a fastener element, said escape preventing means terminating at a point short of but closely adjacent the point of tangency of said drums, said holding means comprising a die member, a stationary die knife adjacent the periphery of the first drum, and means to feed a preformed wire past said die knife to said die member radially thereof.

33. In a machine for making slide fastener parts, a rotatable member having means thereon to hold a fastener element, said holding means comprising a die mem ber having an opening therein, a stationary die knife adjacent the periphery of the radius of rotation of said die member, means to feed a preformed wire past said die knife into the opening in said die member, and a movable part carried by said rotatable member behind said opening, said part being movable into said opening to eject an ciernent from said holding means.

34. In a machine for making slide fastener parts, a rotatable member having means thereon to hold a fastener element, said holding means comprising a die member having an opening therein, a stationary die knife adjacent the periphery of the radius of rotation of said die member, means to feed a preformed Wire past said die knife into the opening in said die member, and a movable part carried by said rotatable member behind said opening, said part being movable into said opening to eject an element from said holding means, and means intermittently operable to move said part into said opening to interrupt the feed of wire to said die member.

35. In a slide fastener machine, four drums mounted in successive substantially tangential relation with one another to turn about parallel axes, means to drive said drums in synchronism in the same direction, the first drum having on its periphery a die recess, a stationary die knife adjacent the periphery of said first drum, means to feed a preformed strip past said knife to said recess, means around a part of the periphery of the drum to hold a blank cut off by said knife within the recess, said last means terminating at the point of tangency of the first and second drums, said second drum having on its periphery means for receiving such blank, means extending around the second drum from the point of tangency d the first and second drums to the point of tangency of the second and third drums to hold the blank Within the recess of the second drum, a forming member carried on the periphery of the third drum for engaging a blank carried by the blank receiving means of the second drum and forming the head thereof, means to transfer the headformed blank from the second to the third drum, means extending around the third drum from the point of tangency of the second and third drums to the point of tangency of the third and fourth drums for preventing the escape of the head-formed blank from the third drum, means on the periphery of the fourth drum to grip a head-formed blank from the third drum, means to feed a tape past a point on the periphery of the fourth drum remote from the point of tangency of the third and fourth drums, said gripping means including means operable when they approach such last point to clamp the legs of the head-formed blank on the tape.

36. In a slide fastener machine, four drums mounted in successive substantially tangential relation with one another to turn about parallel axes, means to drive said drums in synchronism in the same direction, said first drum having means associated therewith to cut off a blank from a preformed strip, means around a part of the periphery of the drum to hold a blank cut off by said cutting means from escaping from said drum, said last means terminating at the point of tangency of the first and second drums, said second drum having on its periphery means for receiving such blank, means extending around the second drum from the point of tangency of the first and second drums to the point of tangency of the second and third drums to hold the blank Within the recess of the second drum, a forming member carried on the periphery of the third drum for engaging a blank carried by the blank receiving means of the second drum and forming the head thereof, means to transfer the head-formed blank from the second to the third drum, means extending around the third drum from the point of tangency of the second and third drums to the point of tangency of the third and fourth drums for preventing the escape of the head-formed blank from the third drum, means on the periphery of the fourth drum to grip a head-formed blank from the third drum, means to feed a tape past a point on the periphery of the fourth drum remote from the point of tangency of the third and fourth drums, said gripping means including means operable when they approach such last point to clamp the legs of the headformed blank on the tape.

37. In a slide fastener machine, four drums mounted in successive substantially tangential relation with one another to turn about parallel axes, means to drive said drums in synchronism in the same direction, the first drum having on its periphery a die recess, a stationary die knife adjacent the periphery of said first drum, means to feed a preformed strip past said knife to said recess, means around a part of the periphery of the drum to hold a blank cut off by said knife within the recess, said last means terminating at the point of tangency of the first and second drums, said second drum having on its periphery means for receiving such blank, means extending around the second drum from the point of tangency of the first and second drums to the point of tangency of the second and third drums to hold the blank within the recess of the second drum, a forming member carried on the periphery of the third drum for engaging a blank carried by the blank receiving means of the second drum and forming the head thereof, means to transfer the head-formed blank from the second to the third drum, means extending around the third drum from the point of tangency of the second and third drums to the point of tangency of the third and fourth drums for preventing the escape of the head-formed blank from the third drum, means on the periphery of the fourth drum to grip a head-formed blank from the third drum, and means associated with the fourth drum for setting such head-formed blank on a tape.

38. In a slide fastener machine, four drums mounted in successive substantially tangential relation with one another to turn about parallel axes, means to drive said drums in synchronism in the same direction, said first drum having means associated therewith to cut oif a blank from a preformed strip, means around a part of the periphery of the drum to hold a blank cut 01f by said cutting means from escaping from said drum, said last means terminating at the point of tangency of the first and second drums, said second drum having on its periphery means for receiving such blank, means extending around the second drum from the point of tangency of the first and second drums to the point of tangency of the second and third drums to hold the blank within the recess of the second drum, a forming member carried on the periphery of the third drum for engaging a blank carried by the blank receiving means of the second drum and forming the head thereof, means to transfer the headformed blank from the second to the third drum, means extending around the third drum from the point of tangency of the second and third drums to the point of tangency of the third and fourth drums for preventing the escape of the head-formed blank from the third drum, means on the periphery of the fourth drum to grip a head-formed blank from the third drum, and means associated with the fourth drum for setting such headformed blank on a tape.

39. In a fastener making machine, a drum having on its periphery a punch extending radially therefrom and a holding member slightly spaced circumferentially from the punch in the direction of rotation of the drum, means to feed a fastener element blank to a position adjacent the periphery of the drum with its legs pointing in the direction of rotation thereof, and means including said punch for engaging the head of the blank to form a recess therein, said member engaging in the crotch of the legs of the blank.

40. In a machine as claimed in claim 39, said feeding means including a second drum tangential to the first drum and having means on its periphery to hold a blank.

41. In a machine as claimed in claim 40, said holding means being narrower in a direction parallel to the drum axis than the spread of the legs of the blank, and means concentric with said first drum extending to the point of tangency of the drums to engage the portions of the legs of the blank extending beyond said holding means, Whereby to transfer the blanks from the second drum to the first drum.

42. A machine for making slide fastener parts from a preformed wire strip comprising a first part mounted to rotate about an axis and having a recess in its periphery of the shape of the cross-section of such strip, a stationary die knife adjacent the periphery of the radius of rotation of the die member, means to feed a preformed wire strip past said die knife to said die member, a second part mounted to rotate about an axis and having means thereon to clamp a slide fastener element on a tape, means to feed a tape past said second part in a path to have elements clamped thereon by said clamping means, and means to transfer an element from said first part to said second part, said transferring means being tangent to said first and second parts and including means to form the head of an element as it is being transferred thereby, means outside the periphery of the first part to prevent escape of a blank from such recess between the cutting point and the point of tangency of said transferring means, and means to rotate said parts and drive said transferring means in synchronism With each other.

43. In a machine as claimed in claim 26, means adjacent the periphery of the member engageable with a fastener element carried thereby to stop the movement of said element, said clamping means acting on the element in response to contined rotation of the member when movement of the element is stopped.

44. In a slide fastener machine, four members mounted to turn about parallel axes in successive substantially tangential relation with one another, means to drive said members in synchronism in the same direction, said first member having means associated therewith to cut off a blank from a preformed strip and to carry a blank out 011 by said cutting means to the point of tangency of the first and second members, said second member having means associated therewith to receive such blank and to carry such blank from the point of tangency of the first and second members to the point of tangency of the second and third members, cooperating means on the second and third members for engaging a blank carried by the second member and forming the head thereof, means to transfer the head-formed blank from the second to the third member, said third member having means associated therewith for carrying such blank from the point of tangency of the second and third members, means associated with the fourth member to grip a head-formed blank from the third member and means associated with the fourth memher for setting such head-formed blank on a tape.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 16 Sundback Sept. 4, Kotzich Aug. 26, Sundback Dec. 20, Sundback Sept. 20, Nagele Dec. 6, Sundback Feb. 20, Schmid Dec. 11, Fuchs Feb. 26, Winterhalter Sept. 8, Winterhalter Feb. 23, Sundback Dec. 27, Reiter Feb. 28, Staubly May 14, Crabtree Dec. 10, Koppel Nov. 4, Rippl et al. Sept. 29, Poux June 1, Winterhalter Nov. 23, Crane et al. Mar. 14, Molnar July 4, Rosenthal Feb. 13, Voity Mar. 19, Dupree Dec. 28, Salfisberg July 7, Simpson Apr. 29, Wintriss July 1, 

